Tobi Talks November 2015 | Tobi vous jase novembre 2015

(LE MESSAGE EN FRANCAIS SUIT).

TOBI TALKS

Monthly musings from City Councillor Tobi Nussbaum

CITY BUDGET

The City’s 2016 Budget process is underway. A draft version will be released on Nov. 12 followed by committee meetings, during which members of the public can appear to offer their views and suggestions.

I co-hosted a budget consultation on Oct. 7, where residents learned about the City’s budgeting process, shared their thoughts and explored tradeoffs through small group exercises. At this session we introduced electronic polling devices to capture residents’ thoughts on priority areas, the level of taxation and allocation of operating dollars for five major budgeting areas: Parks Recreation and Culture, Transit Services, Public Works, Emergency Services and Community and Social Services.

Since an image is worth a thousand words, I have created this infographic to explain the findings. The residents in attendance articulated a preference for the City to be a robust and efficient provider of services.

COMMITTEE, COUNCIL & COMMUNITY ISSUE UPDATES

REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT

On Oct. 6 more than 1,000 Ottawa residents attended a public forum at City Hall on Syrian refugee resettlement efforts. The forum included announcements about two initiatives that I wanted to share for those who are interested in learning more and getting involved. The first is Refugee 613, an umbrella organization that will coordinate and provide information on refugee resettlement efforts in Ottawa. The second is United for Refugees, a collaboration between the United Way, Community Foundation of Ottawa and Refugee 613, which will focus on raising the necessary funds for the sponsorship and settlement of refugees, affected by the Syrian crisis, in Ottawa.

HEMLOCK ROAD TRAFFIC STUDY AND TRAFFIC CALMING

Concerns expressed about Hemlock Road led me to pursue a two-day traffic assessment in late May. The results are in… you can read more about it on my website.

Speeding on Hemlock – and in fact on many of our residential streets – is a significant issue. Results from the study show that more than 50 per cent of vehicles exceeded the speed limit on Hemlock. We will continue to use the speed radar board to remind motorists how fast they are going, a tool that helps reduce speeds. The “Slow down for us” signs you’ve seen popping up are also a useful reminder. However, we know that the physical dimensions and layout of a street have more bearing on drivers’ behaviour and the travel speed. So I am also pursuing an inexpensive solution, starting next spring, to visually narrow Hemlock and other roadways to discourage speeding and deter truck traffic during the warmer months through using flexi-posts to separate the bike lane and vehicular lane. I will keep you updated as we move towards rolling out these traffic calming measures.

TOWARDS LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) IN OTTAWA

As LRT construction continues in Ottawa, OC Transpo is preparing for the next round of Transitway closures between Hurdman and Lees station. This closure will result in route changes and increased travel times for some riders. These changes will come into effect on Dec. 20 and the online Travel Planner will be updated mid to late November. To learn more about these changes, visit the OC Transpo website.

TAXI REGULATION REVIEW

Emerging new ride hailing technologies such as Uber have generated much debate. The City is undertaking a comprehensive review of taxi and limousine regulations. This review will assess the existing regulatory framework and current system in terms of service delivery and will explore potential regulations to recognize the emergence of new ride hailing technologies and transportation service models.

The consultation process is currently underway and there are six discussion papers that outline case studies, the existing hired vehicle regulations, emerging issues, accessibility issues, taxi economics and customer experience. I would encourage you to get involved and share your feedback. Residents are invited to visit the review website to learn about the timelines and the process. You can submit comments by email to taxi@ottawa.ca , by phone at 613-584-TAXI (8294) and by using the hashtag #OttTaxi onFacebook and Twitter.

PLANNING AND HERITAGE

New Edinburgh and Rockcliffe Park Heritage Conservation District Plans

The communities of New Edinburgh and Rockcliffe Park are currently involved in the final stages of developing management plans to enforce protections for their Heritage Conservation Districts through bylaws.

The public comment periods for the Rockcliffe plan and the New Edinburgh plan are now closed. City planners have received a large volume of constructive and helpful feedback. Staff will be working to incorporate this feedback into the final draft documents, which are expected to be considered by the Built Heritage Sub-Committee on Dec. 10 and by Planning Committee in January of 2016. Both meetings will offer opportunities for members of the public to present their views, either in person or in writing.

Former CFB Rockcliffe Lands

Council recently approved the Community Design and Secondary Plans for the former Rockcliffe airbase. I am continuing to work with City staff and the land owner, Canada Lands Company, to ensure the plan is realized as envisioned – a mixed-use neighbourhood with a retail main street, employment on site and a range of different housing types. It will also be critical to ensure transportation choice that gives residents the option to walk or bike for daily errands, as well as convenient bus service to the LRT (as of 2018).

Rideau Crossing

While work is progressing very well, the Rideau River bridge connecting Donald Street and Somerset Street East is still scheduled to be substantially completed in June 2016. Railing fabrication and installation are ongoing. Other construction activities that are yet to be completed include stripping of deck soffit (underside of the bridge), expansion joint seals, lighting, signage and landscaping.

MCKAY POND

Since my last update in September, City staff has visited the pond to confirm the location of the well and has consulted with an engineering firm. The course of action recommended is to conduct a pump test to verify: the viability of the well and whether it could, in future years, be used to manage water levels; the pH levels of this water; and the cost. City staff has confirmed that, if the freeze on discretionary spending is lifted, as is expected, this pump test will be completed in spring 2016. A more detailed update can be found on my website.

COMMUNITY UPDATES, EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Do you have an update, event or opportunity that you’d like to be shared via Tobi Talks? Tell us about it via this form.

ONTARIO ELECTRICITY SUPPORT PROGRAM (OESP)

A new program beginning in 2016 that will reduce the electricity bills of low-income customers. Learn more about this program including how to qualify and how to apply on the Ontario Energy Board website.

MARKET MOBILE – WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11 AND 25, 4 TO 5:30 P.M.

The Market Mobile is a grocery store on wheels bringing fresh produce to communities that otherwise would not have access to fresh affordable produce. You can find them at Samuel Genest High School, 704 Carsons Road every other Wednesday. Get the full schedule here.

You’re invited to a community information session that will provide an update on Ottawa 2017 programming with Guy Laflamme, Executive Director of the Ottawa 2017 Bureau. Information on new funding for community events celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary will be presented. Note: space at this event is limited to 250 people. Please register on Eventbrite.

OVERBROOK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION AGM – THURSDAY, NOV. 19, 6:30 P.M.

Join the Overbrook Community Association for everything you would expect from an annual general meeting, plus a celebration of youth and an opportunity to learn about ongoing initiatives in the area. Drop by the Overbrook Community Centre, 33 Quill St., on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m.

COLUMBUS ROAD CONSTRUCTION OPEN HOUSE - TUESDAY, NOV. 24, 6 TO 8 P.M.

The City of Ottawa will be holding a Public Information Session to discuss the water main and sanitary sewer replacement along Columbus Avenue from Sharp Street to Lola Street, scheduled for spring of 2016. Drop in to the Overbrook Community Center (33 Quill St.) anytime between 6 and 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24 to view preliminary plans and ask questions.

ECO GALA 2015 - THURSDAY, NOV. 26, 5:30 P.M. TO 8 P.M.

Ecology Ottawa is holding its 9th annual Gala Dinner at the St. Elias Banquet Centre (750 Ridgewood Avenue). Former Parliamentary Budget Officer and author Kevin Page will be speaking about a new deal for Canadian cities in their fight against climate change. The evening will also feature a four course dinner from the Green Door Restaurant, a silent auction, and music by John Carroll. More information and tickets available here.

As emcee of this seasonal celebration I invite you to attend and hear from the very talented Ottawa Police Chorus at Heartwood House on Thursday, Dec. 3. Get your tickets at www.heartwoodhouse.ca.

REFLECTION:

AT THE OCT. 14 COUNCIL MEETING, I VOTED AGAINST A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT TO RESOLVE AN APPEAL TO THE CITY’S UPDATED DEVELOPMENT CHARGES BYLAW. I VOTED AGAINST THIS PROPOSED SETTLEMENT AS I FELT IT VIOLATED THE PUBLIC TRUST IN TERMS OF BOTH PROCESS AND SUBSTANCE. I INVITE YOU TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND MY REASONING ON MY WEBSITE.

CITY WIDGET

My office often receives calls from residents who would like to contact the Ottawa Police but don’t know what number to call.This page describes who to call for some of the most common and some of the more uncommon inquiries. You can also subscribe to Ottawa Police Service’s mailing list and have news from Ottawa Police sent to you directly by email.

URBAN INSPIRATION

This month’s urban inspiration is brought to you by the Ottawa Public Library (OPL). Did you know about Homebound service delivery? This service provides free delivery of OPL materials to Ottawa residents who are unable to visit the Library regularly due to age, illness or disability.

For Your InformationPour votre information

CSST Construction Schedule

The CSST (Combined Sewage Storage Tunnel) project has been underway since March 2017, with work occurring in two locations in New Edinburgh: within Stanley Park (Sites 5A and 5B) and at the intersection of Queen Victoria and River Lane (Site 5C). An updated project schedule is posted every few weeks to help residents get a sense of what's in store.

Policy Options magazine published an article I wrote entitled “The Five I’s of Failed Urban Planning”. In it, I summarize the reasons for urban planning failure in five major themes: influence, inertia, illiteracy, inconsistency and interference. The article covers both the key reasons for urban planning failure and my suggested solutions for fixing them, building on my presentation at the 2016 Annual Conference of the Canadian Institution of Planners.